These are some of the basic rules to be adopted if you find an injured native animal or bird:-

If it is safe to do so, pick the animal up using a towel or blanket, being careful to avoid being scratched or bitten. Most small animals can be picked up in this manner – place the towel or blanket over the animal (including its head) and pick it up like you would a small load of washing.

Place the animal in a cardboard box lined with a towel or blanket. The towel will give the animal something to cling to so that it doesn’t slide around in the box. Make sure that you put some ventilation holes in the box first!

Place the box securely in your car (not the boot as exhaust fumes can kill the animal). Make sure that the lid is securely closed so that the animal cannot escape.

If you cannot obtain immediate assistance, keep the animal in a warm, dark place and keep noise to a minimum to avoid stress. Remember the animal is in unfamiliar territory and unfamiliar noises and smells can be extremely stressful to a native animal. Our native animals can die very quickly from stress.

DO NOT OFFER ANY FOOD OR WATER as native animals have very specialised diets and feeding an animal in shock can be fatal.

Take the animal to your nearest vet or contact your local wildlife rescue organisation or government wildlife authority as soon as possible. Vet clinics and rescue organisations do not charge to accept wildlife.

Remember some animals do not require rescuing, for example some baby birds are left for a short time while their parents forage for food. Unless the animal is in immediate danger just keep an eye on it to ensure a parent returns to care for the baby. Removing a baby bird unnecessarily can be very detrimental to its well-being. If in doubt contact your local wildlife organisation for advice.

If you find a kangaroo, wallaby, possum, koala or wombat that has been injured make sure you check the pouch – joeys have been known to survive in the mother’s pouch following her death for several days. Do not remove the joey from the mother’s teat as irreparable damage can be done to the joey’s mouth if removed from the teat incorrectly. If possible take the mother and joey intact to your nearest vet for attention or alternatively call your local wildlife organisation for their assistance.

If you are interested in learning more about our native wildlife and how you can help them, consider joining a wildlife care organisation such as Wildcare Australia Inc. and attend our basic training courses. For information on the training courses offered by WILDCARE, read the information in our Training section.

Wildcare Wildlife Series Brochures

Below are links to information brochures produced by Wildcare on various wildlife topics.

Baby Birds

During spring, hundreds of baby birds are “rescued” by members of the public.

Baby Bird Information
Download our Baby Bird Poster with instructions on how to help our native baby birds and to create a make-shift nest. This poster is designed to be printed on A3 paper but can also be printed on A4.

Stress and Wildlife

We must also bear in mind that our wildlife suffers tremendously from stress whilst they are in captivity. The following information gives you some insight on the effects of stress on our wildlife and what we can do to reduce stress.

Stress immediately following rescue

The first 24 hours will be a very stressful period for any native animal coming into care. Firstly we must realise that all the native animals that come into care are wild animals. Most have been traumatised in some way, been injured by a car, dog or cat, been electrocuted, have lost a mother or have been abandoned.

Some will be in a state of shock, all will be terrified and therefore extremely stressed. It is said that more native animals die in care from stress than from any other single cause. Bearing this in mind we must try to alleviate the stresses as best we can.

How stress manifests itself

Some animals when stressed, die very quickly. Other animals that are subjected to stress, often will not thrive, may be a poor eater, may not make regular and appropriate weight gains, may develop diarrhoea, may be lethargic, grind its teeth, vocalise, may succumb to disease and may eventually die.

Obviously prevention is better than cure, be aware of the causes of stress and minimise them.

Identifying sources of stress

Apart from the initial stress, (ie the accident, injury or illness that caused the animal to be in care, or the loss of its mother, food, warmth, security), there are many other stresses that the animal is subjected to.

Some causes of stress…

Being handled by a predator – HUMANS!

Foreign smells

Foreign sounds

Being fed inappropriate food

Being left at a veterinary surgery

The change in temperature or fluctuating temperature

Being housed in an area with reptiles or family pets

Remember – stress depresses the immune system leaving the animal vulnerable to disease.

Other Wildlife Care Organisations

If you live outside of the South-east Queensland area, and require assistance with a sick, injured or orphaned animal or bird, below is a list of resources that may assist you in finding a wildlife care organisation in your local area.

Australian Fauna Care – www.fauna.org.au
This website provides an up-to-date list of all wildlife carer groups in Australia and includes a search function.

Queensland Wildlife Rehabilitation Council – www.qwrc.org.au
This website has a list of wildlife care groups in Queensland.

Quick Links

Wildcare Australia Inc is a non-profit organisation situated in South-east Queensland. The organisation was originally formed as the Australian Koala Hospital Association Incorporated in late 1993 by Dr Jonathon Hanger. It became an Incorporated Association and registered charity in 1994 and is listed on the Register of Environmental Organisations.